The department of Clinical Neuropathology provides high-quality UKAS accredited diagnostic services and conducts research into disease of the nervous system. A wide range of CNS and PNS specimens are handled. Services include diagnosis of tumours as well as other pathologies on Pituitary biopsies, Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), Muscle and Nerve biopsy, Intra-Epidermal Nerve Fibre Density analysis (IENFD), Epilepsy surgery and supporting comprehensive Neuro Molecular Genetic testing. The department provides autopsy examinations and forensic neuropathology, particularly for head injury and co-ordinates research projects and teaching courses in traumatic neuropathology. The department also provides clinical diagnosis for the Centre for Nervous Tissue Bio-Resource (Brain Bank) for neurodegenerative disease.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsible for a specialist area, providing specialised technical scientific services and communicating complex information that will aid and determine clinical diagnosis. Contribute to the development of specialist investigations, identifying better ways of working and finding efficiencies in service delivery. Manage day-to-day staffing with the Operations Manager to ensure all resourcing needs are met, manage workflow and relevant training to meet turnaround times, cover bench work and where required supervise others as part of early or late or weekend shifts. Take part in other activities such as audits, training, and potentially clinical trials as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyse samples in line with local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including but not limited to recording results and necessary action on the Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), ensuring all Information Governance (IG) requirements are met.
• Maintain standards of conduct required by the HCPC to practice as a registered Biomedical Scientist.
• Provide technical advice to clinical colleagues as required and within limits of competency.
• Participate in the strategic development and service improvement of the analytical service, be responsible for the implementation of new techniques, equipment, and tests, as directed including all verification and validation work. Where necessary this will include analysing clinical trial samples.
• Ensure all incidents and events are correctly reported by junior staff in Q-Pulse quality management database and other relevant software and support them in learning quality procedures and investigations.
• In conjunction with the Quality team, monitor, report and action errors, hazards, and incidents logged in the CAPA module of Q-Pulse. This may include taking part in investigations of incidents and providing expert insight into making improvements based on outcomes.
• Participate in appropriate clinical audits as required and directed.
• Monitor, and report on EQA and IQC procedures and be responsible for correcting problems that have been identified.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and quality requirements of regulatory directives, accreditation bodies, and local management including:
  • Care Quality Commission
  • UKAS ISO 15189
  • Synnovis policies and SOPs
  • Any other body in area of responsibility.
• Provide supervision for all employees, including participating in early, late and weekend shifts if necessary and as required.
• Line manage employees, as required. This includes delivering all aspects of people management, such as recruitment, performance management, absence management, learning and development, employee health and wellbeing.
• Encourage junior employees in their scientific expertise, knowledge and professional development, including the safe use of highly complex and sensitive equipment.
• Develop, prepare, write, and review relevant documents, including SOPs, COSHH and risk assessments in line with the ISO 15189 standard.
• Demonstrate ongoing laboratory-based competency against training plans.
• To educate, train and involve the laboratory’s staff in quality principles and practice.
• Ensure that all Synnovis policies and procedures are implemented and maintained.
• Demonstrate professionalism, patience and empathy when explaining complex subjects, and in particular when communicating with people who do not share same level of knowledge or understanding.
• Attend, and where required, chair regular departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.
• Work closely with Operations Manager to ensure stock inventory compliance.
• Deputise for the Operations Manager including attendance at meetings, as required.
• Take part in CPD activities to ensure that your practices and knowledge are always relevant and up to date to your specific area.

Synnovis

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.

The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services. The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.

Kings College Hospital Foundation Trust

Kings College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UKs leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. Kings has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.

Over the last 170 years, King’s has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.